Genetic similarity among Egyptian populations of Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae).

Geographic variation among Culex pipiens L. populations was studied along a north-south transect across Egypt. Horizontal starch gel electrophoresis of 10 enzyme loci permitted estimates of adult polymorphism for 10 demes of Cx. pipiens. Levels of genetic variability, as indicated by a mean of 1.25 alleles per locus, a mean expected heterozygosity of 0.023, and a proportion of 0.25 of the loci being polymorphic, indicated limited genetic heterogeneity within and among demes. Nei's estimates of genetic divergence indicated considerable genetic exchange among demes (average genetic distance, 0.013). Thus, Cx. pipiens in Egypt was not differentiated into genetically isolated demes but, rather, seemed to consist of a single panmictic population.